It’s a sad day for the city of New York. Former Mayor Ed Koch passed away this morning at the age of 88. Koch served as mayor from 1978 to 1989.

“Earlier today, New York City lost an irrepressible icon, our most charismatic cheerleader and champion, Edward I. Koch,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. “He was a great mayor, a great man and a great friend. In elected office and as a private citizen, he was our most tireless, fearless and guileless civic crusader. Through his tough, determined leadership and responsible fiscal stewardship, Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback.”

Koch had been in and out of the hospital in recent months and was admitted to New York Presbyterian Medical Center on Monday. He was moved to the intensive care unit yesterday as his condition worsened. Koch died on Friday at 2 AM of congestive heart failure. The funeral will be held Monday at 11 AM at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side.

Today, flags at all city buildings will fly at half-staff in honor of Koch’s memory. “We will miss him dearly, but his good works – and his wit and wisdom – will forever be a part of the city he loved so much,” continued Mayor Bloomberg. “His spirit will live on not only here at City Hall, and not only on the bridge the bears his name, but all across the five boroughs. I’m expressing my condolences on behalf of all 8.4 million New Yorkers, and I know so many of them will be keeping Mayor Koch and his family and friends in their thoughts prayers.”